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Whiplash Compensation Claims

Whiplash injuries can range in severity, with some sufferers experiencing discomfort for a few days, through to those who are left with permanent damage. It’s caused when your head snaps back and forwards during a collision, often leaving you with pain, stiffness and restriction of movement in the neck.

Our lawyers could help you claim compensation for whiplash, to help cover the costs of your rehabilitation and its impact on your life.

Can You Make A Whiplash Claim?

If you’ve suffered a whiplash injury in a road traffic accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be able to claim compensation.

The first step is to contact us as soon as possible after your accident, while the details are fresh in your mind. In this free initial consultation we’ll be able to tell you whether we think you have a case, and how much compensation you might be able to claim.

How Long Does A Whiplash Claim Take?

A typical whiplash claim can take a few months to settle. However, the exact time it takes will depend on a number of factors, including:

The severity of your injuries

Whether your opponent admits responsibility

If it was a “hit and run” accident, and the other driver can’t be located

Whether there are financial losses to claim for, e.g. loss of earnings

How Much Compensation For A Whiplash Injury?

Compensation settlements for whiplash vary, depending on the severity of your injury, and the impact it’s had on your life.

The table below gives an indication of the level of compensation you might receive:**

Neck Injuries (Soft Tissue)

Injury Description

Estimated Compensation** (£)

Soft tissue injury with full recovery up to a year following the accident:

up to £3,800

Full recovery between one and two years:

£3,800 - £7,000

Where recovery takes more than two years but the on-going effects are moderate:

£7,000 - £12,000

More serious on-going problems where pain is permanent, or recurring, and surgery may be needed:

£12,000 - £22,000

** Compensation amounts are presented as a guide only, and cannot be guaranteed. The circumstances of each injury are different and unique.

Is There A Time Limit On Making A Whiplash Claim?

The standard time limit for making a whiplash claim is three years from the date of your accident.

However, there are exceptions to this rule:

Children – claims for whiplash can be made at any point up until the child’s 18th birthday. After that, you can make a claim for an injury that occurred in childhood up until the age of 21.

Road Traffic Accidents Abroad – time limits in foreign countries can be shorter than the UK. Depending on the circumstances of your accident, you may still be able to make a claim under UK law.

No Win No Fee Whiplash Solicitors

Most of the whiplash claims our lawyers handle are on a no win no fee basis. That means that there is nothing to pay upfront, and nothing to pay if your claim is unsuccessful*.

If you win your case, your opponent will pay most of your legal fees, with the remainder coming out of your compensation award. We’ll keep you fully updated throughout your claim, so you know how much compensation you are likely to receive.

Why Choose Us?

Our experienced solicitors have helped thousands of people to claim compensation for whiplash, and many motor insurers refer their injury claims to us. We have an in depth knowledge of whiplash injuries, and can help secure you the right level of compensation.

Over the past two years our personal injury team has recovered over £1 billion in compensation for our clients, and we’re widely recognised as one of the leading firms for whiplash claims.

Contact Us

If you have suffered a whiplash injury, call our lawyers on 0800 056 4110 or contact us online to arrange a free initial consultation about your case.

How much compensation you can expect to receive following a road traffic accident will depend on a number of factors related to your injury, its circumstances, and the support and rehabilitation you require as a result.

The amount of compensation you could claim is based on:

Current and future loss of earnings

Medical and travel expenses you have incurred

Your care and support needs – both now and in the future

Modifications to your home

Mobility aids

Your pain and suffering

Find out more about guide compensation amounts following road traffic accidents or call us on 0800 056 4110, and we'll be happy to discuss your options in a free initial consultation.

Many of our cases are funded with a No Win No Fee agreement. This means that there’s no financial risk* to you when making a compensation claim.

At the start of your case, we'll discuss funding options with you, advising you which we think is most suitable. If you have legal expenses insurance (LEI) or are covered by a trade union policy, these may be best for you. Legal expenses insurance is included in many household and car insurance policies, so it’s always worth checking whether you’re already covered.

If we think you're best supported by a No Win No Fee* agreement, we'll explain the process clearly. This involves setting up an insurance policy that will protect you at no cost to you. You'll only have to pay anything when your claim is successful – your opponent will pay most of our fees.

It was so fantastic to have Irwin Mitchell supporting my recovery. They put in place additional services for me to help me with my rehabilitation, and it was able to carry on when the community services came to an end.”

Jaxx, client

Client Story &dash; Stewart Smith

Stewart Smith - Road Traffic Accident

While waiting on his bicycle at a roundabout, Stewart Smith was hit by a car that came out of a junction at 30mph without stopping.

Stewart suffered an open fracture to his right elbow, shattering his elbow joint. The injury meant he was unable to carry out even simple day-to-day tasks like eating or getting dressed independently.

Our lawyers helped Stewart make a compensation claim which, thanks to the other driver admitting liability, was a straightforward case that resulted in early compensation payments to help cover his immediate expenses. We also arranged for physical therapy with an independent specialist.

“I would certainly recommend Irwin Mitchell to friends and family. The support I’ve received has been fantastic.”

“I am now getting my life back on track. This settlement does not put things back to how they were, but at least it gives me some form of justice and allows me to rebuild my life.” Stewart, client

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are The Symptoms Of Whiplash?

Whiplash is most commonly caused by car accidents, but the term describes a number of injuries caused by a sudden distortion and extension of the neck that aren't limited to just vehicle collisions.

The main symptoms of whiplash are:

Restriction of movement of the neck

Pain

Stiffness

Tenderness

Other signs of whiplash include:

Dizziness

Headaches

Back pain

Muscle spasms in your shoulders and arms

Pins and needles in the arms or hands

Tiredness

Vertigo

Whiplash symptoms are not immediate – they can take as much as six to twelve hours to develop, and won't always be obvious at the time of the accident. Pain and stiffness can often begin the day after the injury and can increase in severity.

Whiplash injuries can be categorised into grades depending on the severity of the symptoms:

Grade 1: Neck pain, but no other physical signs.

Grade 2: Neck and musculoskeletal pain.

Grade 3: Neck pain and neurological signs.

Grade 4: Neck pain and fracture or dislocation.

Although whiplash is a relatively short-term condition, you may experience chronic whiplash, in which pain and stiffness persists over the long-term, sometimes with persistent headaches, dizziness, and pins and needles. Mental health effects such as anxiety and depression are also associated with chronic whiplash.

What's The Whiplash Claims Process?

When making a whiplash compensation claim with Irwin Mitchell we’ll offer support and keep you informed every step of the way. Below is how the typical claims process works:

1. Information Gathering

The first step is to contact us to discuss whether you could claim. This initial conversation is free, with no obligation to pursue a claim. If we think you have a claim, we’ll begin to investigate the circumstances, establishing who is responsible for your injuries and seeking the opinion of medical experts.

2. Rehabilitation

If you need medical treatment and support as a result of your accident or injury, we’ll identify what treatment and care you need, both now and in the future.

3. Compensation

We’ll work out how much compensation you need for your injuries, losses, and for any medical care and support you’ll need now and in the future. The compensation amount will either be agreed with your opponent as a settlement, or determined through court proceedings – although this is rare, as the majority of cases settle out of court. If you do have to go to court, our team will be there to support you.

4. Conclusion

The claim is concluded, and you are awarded compensation if your case is successful.

Why Choose Irwin Mitchell For A Whiplash Compensation Claim?

We have years of experience in whiplash claims, and will guide you through the entire process, step-by-step, using plain English. Our personal injury lawyers deal with thousands of successful claims each year.

You'll receive clear, straightforward advice from our lawyers that puts you and your family first.
As one of the largest personal injury teams in the UK with a team of road accident experts, you can rely on us to help you to claim compensation.

We understand that the impact of whiplash is different for everyone, due to both the severity of the injury itself, as well as its impact on your lifestyle. Some may find it more difficult to return to work following a whiplash injury than others, and this will be considered when we calculate your compensation.

Many minor whiplash injuries can heal on their own, but if your injury has left you in need of medical care and support, we will work with you from the beginning of the claim to understand exactly what you need, and how best to help you access it. Call us today on 0800 056 4110 to discuss your accident – we'll advise on whether we think you can claim, and discuss your options with you.

Related Information - Whiplash Claims

Serious Injury Claims – our specialist serious injury lawyers could help you get the compensation and care you deserveRead More

Pedestrian Injury Claims - our lawyers will work with you if you’ve been injured in a road accident as a pedestrianRead More

Rehabilitation - by making a claim we could help you access the care and support you need to make life easierRead More

Road Traffic Accidents Claims Guide - here are the answers to some frequently asked questions relating to accident on the roadRead More

All Scottish cases will be handled by the Scottish law firm with which we are associated, Irwin Mitchell Scotland LLP. The law relating to funding is different in Scotland and you will receive separate advice about what that means as well as a separate funding agreement.

* Subject to entering into a No Win No Fee agreement in conjunction with our Allianz Litigate insurance policy and complying with your responsibilities under its terms.

Awards & Accreditations

Nothing is too much trouble

"They have a fantastic, client-focused approach where nothing is too much trouble. They are very rehabilitation-focused, and the practice understands the roles and challenges of the treating team. They are always efficient and effective in all communications."

Chambers & Partners, 2018

In a league of its own

"‘An absolutely outstanding firm’ that is ‘one of the national leaders in the field’, Irwin Mitchell ‘is second to none for sheer hard work alone’; the firm’s ‘innovation and dedication to its clients places it in a league of its own.’"

Legal 500, 2017

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